Fletcher’s Jami Brown (2) leaps to break up a pass intended for a Wolfson receiver during Tuesday’s girls flag football game at Jack Taylor Stadium. The Senators built a 46-0 halftime lead and rolled to victory in their season opener. (photo by Rob DeAngelo)

Softball victories are rarely as dramatic as Fletcher’s 7-6 win Tuesday night over long-time rival Sandalwood.

The Senators held a precarious 4-2 lead entering the top of the seventh inning, but through a combination of timely hits and a seeing-eye fly ball that barely eluded the glove of Fletcher right fielder Bekki Frank and brought two home, the Saints rallied for four runs to take a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Brooke Peaver started the Senators comeback with a leadoff base hit. Samantha Meenaghan then walked on four pitches to put runners on first and second with none out.

Katie Satterfield followed with a routine grounder to second but the ball was jarred loose when Sandalwood second baseman Heather Smith tried to tag Meenaghan.

That left the bases loaded for Cece Strobridge, who, after two quick strikes, worked the count to 3-2 before taking ball four to make it a 6-5 ballgame.

With the bases still loaded and nobody out, freshman Amy Harber lashed a single plating Meenaghan from third to tie the game. On the play, pinch runner Amanda Luke tried to score from second but was thrown out at the plate. As Harber hustled to second, the Sandalwood catcher threw wildly into center field allowing Strobridge to trot home with the winning run.

Fletcher pitcher Jenni Griswold, who relieved Satterfield in the seventh, earned the victory as the Senators improved to 7-5 on the season.

Fletcher was slated to take the field again Thursday as it hosted Englewood.

BASEBALL

Orange Park 5, Fletcher 3

In a district 1-6A matchup Wednesday, the host Raiders topped the Senators.

Fletcher built a three run lead with one in the first and two more in the top of the fifth while holding Orange Park scoreless through four innings before the Raiders exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Scott Sitz (0-2) took the loss for the Senators, who dropped to 7-4 (1-4) on the season.

The Raiders scored five runs on seven hits and capitalized on three Fletcher errors in the ballgame.

The Senators had five hits including a double by Kevin Lehane.

Fletcher will be in action again tonight when it takes on Mandarin at the Baseball Grounds in Jacksonville with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

BOYS TENNIS

Fletcher 5, Wolfson 2

The Senators improved to 7-1 on the season with Tuesday’s victory.

Singles winners for Fletcher included June Condez (6-0, 6-3), Tyler Thornton (6-1, 6-7, 7-6 10-7), Tanner Bell (6-1, 6-1) and Josh Franks (7-5, 6-1).

In doubles play, the team of Bell/Franks won 8-5.

The Senators were slated to return to the courts Thursday against Lee High at Huguenot Park.

Nease 5, Bartram Trail 2

The Panthers improved to 7-1 on the season with Tuesday’s victory over St. Johns County rival Bartram Trail.

In singles play, Nease’s Tom Blackwell won 8-5, Austin Saacke won 8-4, Josh Kessler was an 8-2 winner and John Clifford triumphed 8-6.

The Panthers doubles team of Kessler and Saacke won 8-4.

Nease was scheduled to be back in action next Wednesday when it hosts Palatka.

GIRLS TENNIS

Nease 7, Bartram Trail 0

The Panthers girls team earned its seventh win of the season Tuesday by blanking the visiting Bears.

Nease No. 1 Taylor Crosby earned an 8-2 victory in singles play. Other Panthers singles winners included Caitlin Cassidy (8-2), Natalie Mayer (8-3), Casey Heiar (8-3), and Dana Monroe (9-7 [7-0]).

Doubles action saw Crosby/Monroe earn an 8-0 win and Mayer/Laura Smith notch an 8-4 decision to complete the sweep.

Nease is slated to return to action next Wednesday when it hosts Palatka in a 3:30 p.m. start.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Nease 15, Flagler Palm Coast 10

The Nease girls rebounded nicely from last Friday night’s loss to the state’s top ranked team, Orlando Lake Brantley.

On Monday night, Bailee Hedstrom, Allie Lancashire and Jess Gimbel emerged as leading scorers for the Panthers.

The Nease defense was led by Chelsea Lancashire who had 15 saves in goal.